I don't think I'm asking for too much here, as I think what I'm requesting is what all of these boxes are supposed to do. I guess I'm really just asking for opinions on which ones do it best.

I'm looking for a proven, reliable box that's fairly inexpensive. I want to set a few up for parents and grandparents who aren't very tech savy. I'll be doing all the initial setup, so it doesn't have to be an absolute breeze, but after that, I'd like everyday use (and possibly adding new files) to be fairly simple. I'm not sure If I'm looking at a single-location box or more of a NAS system. I guess it'll kind of depend on cost and each situation.

I'd like each one to be able to handle video, music, and pictures. A DVR option wouldn't be bad. HD (at least 720P) is a must. A wireless interface (802.11n?) to network with other components and allow remote management is also important. RAID storage would be good, because some of these will be a decent ways away, and I don't want to have to drive out the instant a drive goes down. It doesn't matter if it comes with drives or not - I'm looking to most likely install my own big ones.

Other than that, I just want the basics - a good variety of A/V ports, probably a USB connection, a good variety of supported formats, and H.264.

I've been doing some research on these, but a friend of mine pointed me here and said this was the best place to get some real hands-on opinions. Please let me know if you have any questions - I'll be checking this thread regularly. I really appreciate your help, and hopefully I'll be around here a lot more.

I don't think I'm asking for too much here, as I think what I'm requesting is what all of these boxes are supposed to do. I guess I'm really just asking for opinions on which ones do it best.

I'm looking for a proven, reliable box that's fairly inexpensive. I want to set a few up for parents and grandparents who aren't very tech savy. I'll be doing all the initial setup, so it doesn't have to be an absolute breeze, but after that, I'd like everyday use (and possibly adding new files) to be fairly simple. I'm not sure If I'm looking at a single-location box or more of a NAS system. I guess it'll kind of depend on cost and each situation.

I'd like each one to be able to handle video, music, and pictures. A DVR option wouldn't be bad. HD (at least 720P) is a must. A wireless interface (802.11n?) to network with other components and allow remote management is also important. RAID storage would be good, because some of these will be a decent ways away, and I don't want to have to drive out the instant a drive goes down. It doesn't matter if it comes with drives or not - I'm looking to most likely install my own big ones.

Other than that, I just want the basics - a good variety of A/V ports, probably a USB connection, a good variety of supported formats, and H.264.

I've been doing some research on these, but a friend of mine pointed me here and said this was the best place to get some real hands-on opinions. Please let me know if you have any questions - I'll be checking this thread regularly. I really appreciate your help, and hopefully I'll be around here a lot more.
Wireless,h264 and Raid...nothing that I know of can do what you are asking for.

There are only two players that even claim to do h.264 and they both have problems doing that. While lots of players claim wireless most can not really deliver because of a host of issues with wireless networks streaming medium to high bitrate video.

Why is h264 a need? I ask because I live in the US and have currently no need for it and do not see a need for a long time.

There are a number of players that are simple and robust for mpeg2/DivX and HD ts using wired connections. Wouldn't something like work for your needs?

Curious about your handle Zilog...I used to have a connection to Zilog

Seems like an AppleTV might be something you should check out. It does everything you're asking for except the RAID part. You could set up a RAID array on the PC that you use to sync the AppleTV with.

Seems like an AppleTV might be something you should check out. It does everything you're asking for except the RAID part. You could set up a RAID array on the PC that you use to sync the AppleTV with.
I do not think the AppleTV will do HD unless it is re-encoded from mpeg to h.264.